Surgeon&#39;s operating-table.



No. 716,756. Patented Dec. 23, i982.

T; B. POWERS.

SURGEUMS'DPERATING TABLE.

(Application led Apr. 7, 1992.)

No. 716,756: Patented nec. 2s, |902.

`T. B. POWERS. s'unsao'us OPERATING TABLE.

(Application med Apr. 7, 1902.)

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Nu. 715.756. 1 Patented nec. 23, |902. T. B. POWERS;

s'unGl-:onfs OPERATING TABLE.'

(Application led Apr. 7, 1902,\ (No Modal.)

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A rma/vf Ys Airnivfr TIMOTHY B. POWERS, OF' NEW YORK, N. Y.

su Bolso N s oPERATiNe-TABLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 716,756, dated December 23, 1902.

Application tiled April 7, 1902.y

To all whom, t may con/cern:

Be it known that I, TIMOTHY B. POWERS, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York, in the 'county of New York and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Surgeons` Operating-y Tables, of which the followingis a full and complete specitication, such as will enable those skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

The object of this invention is to provide an improved operating-table for'use by physicians and surgeons, the parts of which may be adjusted to any desired position when in use, so astohold the body orlimbs of a party to be operated upon in the desired position or and 'connected that the entire apparatus, in# `cluding the frame or support and the table proper, together with the end members, may be compact-ly folded together, `so as be placed in a case for convenient shipment or transportation from one point to another.

The invention is fully disclosed in the following specification, of which the accompanying drawings form a part,in which the separate parts of my improvement are designated by the same reference characters in each of the views, and in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved operating-table in position for use; Fig. 2, a side view thereof with one end of the'table proper raised; Fig. 3, a sectional side view of the means forraising one end of the table proper; Fig. 4, an end view looking in the direction of the arrow ain Fig. 2; Fig. 5, a plan view of the table proper and showing the end members folded thereover; Fig. 6, a side view thereof; Fig. 7, a side view of one of the horizontal bottom rods ot' the framework and showing the method of its connection with one of the transverse end rods of the framework; Fig. 8, a sideview showing the entire table or apparatus partially folded 3 Serial No. 101.751. (No model.)

Fig. 9, a similar view showing the table or Vapparatus completely folded; Fig. l0, a side view showing the central joint of one of the horizontal side rods of the framework; Fig. ll, a similar view 'showing said side rod partially folded, andFig. l2 a side Vview of two slidably-connected.members 'which form a part of the sides of the framework.

In constructing the frame or framework of my improved operating-table I provide four corner-posts a, preferably composed of steel tubes, and said posts a are connected at each end of the frame or framework and near the bottom of said posts by a transverse rod o2 and at the top thereof by transverse rods a3, and saidposts are also connected intermediate of the top and bottom and nearer the top than the bottom by transverse rods a4, all of said rods being preferably composed of steel tubes. The transverse rods a2 at each end of the frame or framework are connected by two horizontal side rods a5, which are composed of separate members hinged together at a6, so as to fold upwardly, and the connection of the rods d5 with the rods a2 is made by means of sleeves a7, through which the rods a2 pass and which are free to turn on said rods a2, and these sleeves are provided with downwardlydirected members cts, in which the ends of the rods a5 are rigidly secured. The top end rods CL3 are also connected by side rods b, which are composed of two parts hinged together at b2, so as to fold downwardly, and the connection between the rods b with the top end rods d3 is made by means of sleeves b3, through which said end rods pass, and said sleeves are provided with upwardly-directed members b4, inwhich the rods h are rigidly secured, and on an examination of Fig. 4 it will be seen that the bottom side rods a5 are set inwardly of the corner-posts a, while the top side rods b are closely adjacent to said crank-posts, and in the operation of folding the separate parts together, as hereinafter described, the rods a5 iit inwardly of the rods b. VThe connection between the transverse end rods d2, a3, and a4 and the corner-posts a is preferably made by means of T-couplings h5, and the end posts are connected at each end by small diagonally-arranged rods c, which are connected therewith at points where the end rods a2 and c4 are secured thereto, and the sides of the IOO frame or framework are braced by the diagonally-arranged rods c2, which are pivotally connected with the top and bottom portions of the corner-posts ot, as shown at c3, this connection being preferably made by means of T-couplings b5, as clearly shown, and at the top of the left-hand end of the framework are secured curved jaws c4, to which the table proper is pivoted or hinged,and the diagonally-arran ged rods c2 at the sides of the frame or framework are composed of two parts connected at c5, as shown at Fig. 12, said parts being each provided with a head c, through which the other bar passes and is .free to slide.

The table proper, which is designated by the reference character d, comprises a framework which is hinged to the jaws c at c7 and is substantially rectangular and oblong in form and the sides of which are connected by transversely-arranged spring-metal bands d2, which are stretched thereover, and said table proper is provided at its Iopposite ends with hinged members d3 and d4, which are so hinged thereto at d5 as to be capable of folding flat on the top of the table proper and also to swing downwardly therefrom, and said hinged members d3 and d4 are also composed of rectangular and oblong frames, over which are placed transversely-arran ged spring-metal strips d6, which may be secured to said frames in any desired manner. The hinged table members d3 and d4 are provided at their opposite sides, respectively, with arms dl and d8, which are hinged thereto at C19, and these arms are provided in their bottom edges with: notches or recesses e, which are adapted to' engage the transverse end rods a4, as clearly shown in Fig. l, and by means of these arms (i7 and d8 the hinged end table members d3 and d4 may be raised or lowered, as will be readily understood. The arms d? and d8 of each of the hinged table members d3 and dt are connected by transverse rods e2, and the hinged table member d4 is preferably Wider than the other, as shown in Fig. 5, and the arms da thereof are curved inwardly centrally, as shown at e3, and one of said arms is pro-` vided with a clip e4, which overlaps the adjacent arm r1.7 of the other hinged table member 033 when the parts are folded together, as shown in Fig. 5, and the end of the last-named arm C17 at the point where it is pivotally connected with the corresponding hingedframe member da is provided with a lug or projection e5, adapted to pass through a corresponding opening in the said arm d8.

Mounted in the top ends of the corner-posts a, at the right-hand end of the frame or framework, are vertically-movable rack-bars f, and supported transversely on the top portions ofy the said corner-posts isa shaftf2, provided with gears f3, which operate in connection with said rack-bars to raise and lower the` latter. The shaft f2 is provided at one end with a crank f4, having a transversely-movable handle f5, and the upper ends of the rods f are provided with sockets f6, adapted to re ceive rods f7, which are designed to support bands f8, through which the lower limbs of the party operated upon may be passed when it is desired to raise said limbs or hold them at a certain elevation. The rack-bars f are also provided near their upper ends with transverse slots or openings g, in the bottom portions of. which are preferably mounted antifriction-rollers g2, and the sides of the table proper are provided with keepers g3, through which are passed curved slides g4, which also pass through the slots or openings g and rest on the antifriction-rollers g2, and the outer ends of which are provided with downwardly-directed projections g5 and the inner ends thereof with outwardly-curved members Q6, which serve -as handles for the manipulation of said slide when the table proper is withdrawn from the rack-bars f; but when the said table or one end thereof is raised, as shown in Fig. 2, the slides g4 serve to hold said end of table, in connection with the rack-bars j'. By means of the crank f4 on the shaft f2 the rack-bars f may be raised and lowered to any desired point, and by sliding the handle f5 inwardly, as shown in Fig. 4, the said handle will come in contact with the adjacent corner-posts a and will hold one'end of the table proper and the corresponding hinged member d4 in the raised position, the handle f5 operating as a lock to prevent the turning of the shaftfz, as Will be readily understood.

By means of the construction. herein described it will be seen that one end of the table proper may be raised to any desired height whenever necessary, and by means of the rack-bars f, the rods f7, and the straps f8 one or both of the legs or limbs of the party to be operated upon may be raised whenever necessary and held as long as desired in the raised position. It will also be seen that either of the hinged end members da and d4 may be raised to a horizontal position and swung downwardly or upwardly at an incline and held at any desired inclination.- The hinged end members d3 and d4 mayvalso be folded dat on the top of the table proper,and the hinged arms di' and d8 may be folded compactly thereover or adjacent thereto. The top side rods b of the main frame or support may be folded downwardly at the middle thereof, the bottom side rods a5 may be folded upwardly at the middle thereof, and the table d, with the hingedy end members d3 and d4 folded thereover, may be turned entirely over on its pivotal supports at c7, as shown in Fig. 8, and in this position of the table and its attachments the end portions of the frame may be folded together, this process being shown in Fig. 8, and the end portions of the frame may be compactly folded together, as shown in Fig. 9, and the table proper and its attachments folded adjacent to one end portion thereof, and in this operation the diagonally-arranged side rods c, which are com- IOO IIC

posed of separate parts, slide together, as shown in Figs. 9 and 12. The entire apparatos may thus be folded into a compact form, and maj1 when in this condition be placed in a suitable case prepared therefor, and may be conveniently carried from one point to another or transported or shipped Whenever desired, and in the form shown in Fig. 9 may be stored when not Vin use in a closet or other suitable receptacle.

It will be observed that by means of the lug or projection c5 (shown in Fig. 5) andthe clip e4 the arms dl and d3 are secured in the folded position,and it will also be understood that said arms are composed of spring metal, and in order to connect one of the arms d8 with the lug or projection e5 both of the arms d8 are swung to the right until said lug or projection Will pass through one of said arms, as clearly shown, and in this position of the parts the hinged members d3 and d4 are folded over the table proper and the arms thereof are locked together and to one of said hinged members, and the said hinged members and said arms will remain' in the closed or folded position until one of the arms d8 is disconnected from the lug or projection e5, which may be done by swinging said arm outwardly, as will be readily understood. It will also be observed that, as hereinbefore described, one end of the table proper may be raised to any desired height, and in this operation the slides g4 move freely through the slots g in the rackbars f over the antifriction-rollers g2, and when the parts of the table or apparatus are to be folded together, as shown in Fig. 9, the slides g are detached from the rack-bar, and when the table proper or the free end thereof is in its lowest position, as shown in Fig. l, the 4slides gL may be connected with or detached from the rack-bar; but Whenever itis desired to raise said end of said table these slides must be passed through said rack-bars,

as shown in Fig. 3, and by disconnecting thel slides g4 from the rack-bars the said rackbars may be raised Without raising the Acorresponding end of the table proper, as will be readily understood, this being frequently necessary in certain classes of operations.

The table proper is preferably of about the same dimensions as one end of the frame or support, and the hinged end members d3 and d4 are of such length that they do not overlap when folded fiat on said table proper, and this construction facilitates the folding together of said parts, as shown in Fig. 9.

The diagonally-arranged rod c2 at the-opposite sides of the frame or support,which are composed of two parts slidably connected and also pivotally connected With the top and bottom portions of the frame, constitute an im-' portant element of this construction, and Whenin the position shown in Fig.V 2 to brace the parts of the frame against longitudinal movement and by reason of theV method of connecting the parts of these rods, which is fully shown in Fig. 12, the said parts slide together in the operation of folding the end portions of the frame together, as illustrated in Fig. 8,and this operation is automatic, and it will be observed that the joints of the separate parts of the rods d5 and b are in vertical line with the connections of the separate parts of the rod c2, which facilitates the folding together of the separate parts, and these rods when in their extended position,as shown in Fig. 2, also aid in preventing the accidental buckling or bending `of the joints of the rods d5 and b.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new,and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. An operating-fable comprising a frame or support, the ends of which are adapted to be folded together, a table proper hinged to the top of the frame or support at one end thereof, and adapted to be folded adjacent to said end and being also substantially ofY the same dimensions as said end, end members hinged to the end of said table proper, means for holding said end members in a horizontal or in an inclined position, rack-bars mounted in the end of the frame or support opposite the hinged end of the table proper and provided with slots or openings in upper end thereof, slides connected With the sides of the table proper, and adapted to be passed through the slots or openings in the upper ends of said rack-bars, a shaft supported at the top of the said end of the frame or support and provided with gears operating in connection with said rack-bars, a crank for operating-said shaft, and a movable handlepin passing through the end of said crank and operating in connection with said end of the frame or support to lock said shaft, substantially as shown and described.

2. An operating-table comprising a frame or support the ends of which are adapted to be folded together, a table proper hinged to the top of the frame or support at one end thereof, and adapted to be folded adjacent to said end and being also substantially of the same dimensions as said end, end members hinged to the end of said table proper means for holding said end members in a horizontal or in an inclined position, rack-bars mounted in the end of the frame or support opposite the hinged endof the table proper and provided with slots, slides connected with the sides of the table proper, and adapted to be passed through the slots in the rack-bars, a shaft supported at the top of said ends of the frame or support and provided With gears operating in connection with said rack-bars, a crank for operating said shaft, and a movable handle-pin passing through the end of said crank and operating in connection with said end of the frame or support to lock the said shaft, said rack-bars being also provided with sockets and rods adapted to be placed in said sockets and provided With belts, substantially as shown and described.

3. In an operating-table, a frame or support IIO provided with corner posts, transverse end rods connected therewith at or near the top and bottom thereof, horizontal side rods connected with the transverse end rods and composed of separate parts hinged together preferablyat or near the middle the said rods being adapted to fold inwardly against the end frames a table proper hinged to said frame or support at one end of the top thereof, hinged members connected with the opposite ends of said table, means for holding said hinged members in a horizontal or inclined position, and means for raising one end of said table proper and the corresponding end member hinged thereto,substantially as shown and described.

4. In an operating-table, a frame or support provided with corner-posts, transverse end rods connected therewith at or near the top and bottom thereof, horizontal side rods connected with the transverse end rods and composed of separate parts hinged together at or near the middle, the said side rods being adapted to be folded inwardly against the end frames, a table proper hinged to said frame or support at one end of the top thereof, hinged members connected with the opposite ends of said table, means for holding said hinged members in a horizontal or inclined position, and means for raising one end of said table proper and the corresponding end member hinged thereto, consisting of rackbars mounted in the corner-posts of said frame, slides connected with the sides of the table proper and movable in slots formed in said rack-bars, a shaft provided with gears operating in connection with said rack-bars and means for locking said shaft, substantially as shown and described.

5. In an operating-table, a frame or support provided with corner-posts, transverse end rods connected therewith at or near the top and bottom thereof, horizontal side rods connected with the transverse end rods and composed of separate parts hinged together at the middle, the said side rods being adapted to fold inwardly against the end frames, a table proper hinged to said frame and supported at one end of the top thereof, hinged members connected with the opposite ends of said table, means for holding said hinged members in a horizontal or inclined position, the means for raising one end of said table proper and the corresponding end member hinged thereto, consisting of rack-bars mounted :in the corner-posts of said frame, slides connected with the sides of the table proper and movable in slots formed in said rackbars, a shaft provided with gear operating in connection with said rack-bars and means for locking said shaft, said rack-bars being also provided at their upper -ends with detachable rods having means for supporting limbs, substantially as shown and described.

6. An operating-table comprising an oblong rectangular frame consisting of end members and side members, the side members composed of top and bottom rods pivoted together centrally, the top rod being adapted to fold downwardly and the bottom rod upwardly, said side members being also provided with diagonally-arran ged brace-rods pivotally connected with the frame proper at their ends and composed of separate members slidablyconnected at the middle thereof, substantially as shown and described.

'7. An operating-table comprising a frame or support consisting of end members and side members, the side members being composed of top and bottom rods hinged together centrally, the top rod being adapted to fold downwardly and the bottom rod upwardly, said side members being also provided with diagonally-arranged brace-rods, the ends of which are hinged to the frame proper, said rods being also composed of separate parts slidably connected at the middle, a table proper hinged to one end of the frame at the top thereof, supplemental end members hinged to the table proper at the ends thereof, means for holding the said supplemental members in a horizontal or inclined position and means for raising one end of the table proper andthe corresponding member hinged thereto, substantially as shown and described.

8. An operating-table comprising a frame, the side portions of which are composed of top and bottom members hinged respectively to fold downwardly and upwardly, and diagonally-arranged rods hinged respectively to diagonally opposite top and bottom cornersv of the frame and composed of pieces slidably connected, substantially as shown and described.

9. An operating-table comprising a frame, the side portions of which are composed of top and bottom members hinged respectively to fold downwardly and upwardly and diagonally-arranged rods hinged respectively to diagonally opposite top and bottom cornersl IOO IIC

of the frame and composed of pieces slidably connected, and a table proper hinged to one end of said frame at the top thereof, and provided with supplemental end members hinged thereto, and means for holding the supplemental end members in a horizontal or inclined position,l substantially as shown and described.

l0. An operating-table comprising a frame, the side portions of which are composed of top and bottom members hinged respectively to fold downwardly and upwardly and diagonally-arranged rods hinged respectively to diagonally opposite top and bottom corners of the frame-and composed of pieces slidably connected, and a table proper hinged to one end of said frame at the top thereof, and provided with supplemental end members hinged thereto, means for holding the supplemental end members ih a horizontal or inclined position, and devices for raising one end of the table proper and the correspond' olined position, and devices for raising one end of the table proper and corresponding end member hinged thereto, said table proper being of the vseme dimension at one end of the frame or support, substantially as shown and described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention I have signed my neme, in presence of the subscribing Witnesses, this 4th day of April, 1902. A

' TIMOTHY B. POWERS.

Witnesses:

F. A. STEWART, F. F. TELLER. 

